The protector.. A Lando Norris story

4

Lando
I wake up to the sound of crying at 3am. I haven't long fell asleep as I wanted to be awake for if Lexie needed me.
I wander up to my bedroom and Lexie is bawling her eyes out. I still don't know what her ex done or what happened when she got taken away. So I lay on the bed with her, I can see various different purple colours mottling her skin. Bruising like none I've ever seen.
"Lex.. babe... I'm here." She shakes her head. "Lando. Please leave me. I can get through this on my own." She sniffs at me. Man that hurts.
I'm not used to this. I don't know should I leave. Should I stay.
"No Lexie. I'm not leaving. I've told you. I'm here to stay." I'm more forceful. But all it gets is her eyes opening at me. "Please. Lando. I have nowhere else to go.. but I need to be alone." She starts to cry again.
I shake my head. "No. You don't need to be alone. If you want to cry, have my shoulder.. my chest.. my arm anything you want. I don't want to see you crying alone. Not when I'm here for you." I hold out my hand to her.
"But you don't even know what happened...." she wails. "Like I said  Lex im here to stay. Promise." She shakes her head at me. Wincing with the pain. "No. No you don't need this sort of.. mess."
I look at her, my heart breaking as I've never wanted anyone more than her. "Lexie try me. But I won't run away. Any mess no matter what It is, will be easier with us both fighting it together." I move over and push a kiss into her temple.
"Lando. I can't even say the word to you... I know you'll see me differently." She says, before crying again. I close my eyes willing then not to follow suit. "I won't..." I start to think about what it could be. What's so bad that he could've done.
"Did he force you?" I watch her crumble as I ask her. She nods her head, but it makes her tears fall quicker and the low howl starts again. But her whole body shakes.
I'm devastated.
But I don't move. But I link my fingers with hers. As time moves, she gets closer and closer to me. Until her head is buried in my chest and she's snoring softly. I put my head on the pillow and sleep too. But have horrid nightmares.

I waken a few hours later, Lexie is already awake and with Maddie downstairs. I can hear some weird cartoon on. I get up. There's no use hiding from her. My mum has text me.
"Is Lexie home now? Do you know what happened to her? Will she be apart of the team for spa? Love you."
Of course my mum would ask that. "Erm not sure what's happening. She's only half told me what happened. All I know is she's covered in bruises... they stayed over last night. She was asked to come to Spa. But not sure if she will want to now. You and dad still coming? Love you.."
My kitchen smells of pancakes. "Have you made pancakes?" I ask Lexie as I walk in. "Yeah. It's all I could make with what you had." I jump up on the stool. "Sorry. Wasn't expecting house guests. How you feeling this morning?" I ask her.
She shrugs her shoulders. "Like I always do. It's not the first time it's happened. They think I have a few broken ribs and I need to take it easy. But thanks." She passes me a plate of pancakes. "For what?" I shake my head. "Calling the cops. I didn't ask you too. But I appreciate it. Taking Maddie without questioning me.. everything." I see her eyes welling up. So I jump down and go hug her. "I don't know why I let him do this again. I'm such an idiot. I'm supposed to be one of those boss bitches. Career.. baby. House. And I can't do anything right." She cries into me.
"You will be. It takes time. Come on. Maddie is a great baby. Your house will be your home again. Work. It's a family not work. We all have each other's backs including yours and Maddie. If you need us, we are here always to protect you."
She nods her head. As I gently wipe away her tears. My door goes as I go answer I see Lexie go into the living room beside Maddie. It's the police. "Can we speak with Alexa?" I let them in and take them to her.
"So Alexa.. we need to speak with you." I take Maddie and turn off the tv. I sit in the garden with her. Not wanting to know what's been brought up to her again.
Lexie comes out to find us. She's been crying. "Whats happening?" She shows me her keys.
"I need to go home. I need a new sofa. I can't have that one in the house. Not after what happened on it."